Fossil Fuel Industry Spends $17 Million to Oppose California Legislation
Oil and gas companies have spent more than $17 million in the first half of 2026 to lobby against climate and worker-safety legislation in California, according to a report by Grist. This marks a record expenditure for the sector within the state.
The spending was concentrated in the first two quarters of the year, with $10.3 million spent in Q1 and $6.8 million in Q2. These efforts primarily targeted legislation that would hold the industry accountable for rebuilding after climate-intensified disasters and expand free pollution-permit mechanisms.
The analysis, conducted by the environmental coalition Last Chance Alliance, highlights the fossil fuel industry's aggressive stance against regulatory measures that could impose additional costs and liabilities.
This record spending aligns with broader trends of increased lobbying by major industries in California. For instance, the state's three largest investor-owned utilities collectively spent $16.7 million lobbying over six quarters in the 2025-2026 legislative session.
In 2024, overall lobbying expenditures in California exceeded $540 million, with oil companies and utilities among the top spenders, illustrating the escalating financial influence of these sectors on state policy.